Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train manual trans. swap to a th700R4

Hi guys!

i've got a Chevy Bel Air 1963. It has a L 6 with a manual transmission.
I want to put a Th700 behind the engine.

is this possible?
What do i have to change?
The car has a colom shift and i like to use that again is that possible?

thanx in advance.
:p
Marcel.

Dear Marcel;

Anythings's possible.

To do this would require a massave amount of time, money and effort in your part of the world.

Remember; That trans is for the "higher power" V-8 engines and will take 20% +/- of your engines power to run it etc. There may be a clearence issue too.

I would think this over & good luck.

I think you're being a little harsh, John.
Certainly the auto trans is going to suck up some power, but Chevy used the 700-R4 behind the 173 ci v-6 in the S-10 and the Camaro.

If Marcel has a 250, I think a v8 700-R4 will bolt up. He'll need to buy/fabricate a rear support and a driveshaft. He might be able to adapt the column shift or replace it with a column from an auto car. Or use an aftermarket floor shift.

Like you said, a large effort. Probably even more so in the Netherlands. I'd be reluctant unless there is some reason to delete the manual. An easier way to get overdrive is with a manual trans replacement to the Saginaw or Borg Warner 3 speed OD trans.

regards,
Leon

Thanx for the reply's

It is a lot of work

Well they say that a th350 can put behind it without any serious work. So i thought that a th700 wil fit either without a lot of work.

First i will read some articles on the net
And learn a lot, i hope

Thanx again!!

Marcel.

why a automatic trans.?

because i like it

And why should i use the manual? are there any profits on a manual instead using a automatic trans.?

In the Netherlands you can find what you need for this, i think. But it is a lot more expensive than in the USA :rolleyes:

greetz

I'm sorry but i don't understand these words: reluctant, harsh ?? my english is not that good

Dear Marcel;

Leon's advice is sound because; Chevrolet had a 3spd. (with OD) in that era that 'bolts in' your car and shifts from the column too. The drive shaft may need to be shorter is all.

A 'stick shift' 63 Bell Air (rare today) will sell for MUCH more & faster than one with an auto trans, when the time comes.

For less than the cost of the conversion, a 70s era Nova could be bought with an 350 trans (from factory) installed, where the 'switch' is; easy, fast and cheap to do.

To do this in the Bell Air; you'll be spending a lot of money, to make your vehicle worth less and harder to sell later.

Good luck.

Hi John.

maybe your right.

i'll think this over :rolleyes:

It is rare to see a stickshift in an american car.

i going to search for some information about the manual 3 spd. with od.

thanx for the advise!

Chucky,
I ran a hotrod shop for the last 10 years in Texas, but am now in Norway. It really depends on your preference. A OD is no harder to put in than a th350. As mentioned you do have to get the TV cable correct, but that is simple. You can make the column shift work as your sifter for your auto, but it will require much work for it to have the detents and lockouts like a normal column. Many an old car is running just using the tranny detents inside the trans to hold it in a certain position. An aftermarket or stock auto trans column is esier, but harder to find and more expensive. As stated above a 2004r is a little smaller and is the same used in GN turbos, so they are tough. I have run several myself. A 700r4 should fit without cutting your tunnel though. ONe thing to look at on your car is that you have a 2 piece driveshaft, which you will have to shorten the front shaft regardless of what trans you use. If you have a 2 door, and this depends on your ride height, you can use a 1 piece driveshaft without cutting on your X-frame. In your application the stock 2 piece is fine. I have a '61 Impala with a 409 and 4spd with a 2 piece , with a urethane carrier bearing, it will take VERY harsh launches...the rearend is not so forgiving...If you should wnat to stick with a manual trans and stay old shcool. The 3spd w solenoid actuated OD work OK. The solenoids can cost as must as teh whole tranny though. I think i have 1 or 2 still back in TX if you should go this direction. They are operated via the solenoid and a cable pull. This would be the easiest swap for an OD. Not to start an argument with John, but I have bought and sold and modified tons of stuff like this, I even had that trans in my '27 roadster for awhile, BUT unless its a T10 or muncie 4spd, a auto with fetch more, and usually way easier to sell. Even though these 3spd/OD were cool in the day and get the job done, they usually get yanked out and sold for an auto or 4spd...I will have a container coming to Norway this spring and well as end of summer if you should have somehting large to bring across the pond.

Hans

i vote for the manual trans. two reasons- roll starts and jake brakes. i think they will mabey last longer and prob require less mantinence.

Keeping it orginal insures the future value increase. Every time one is "butchered up" your's becomes more valueable.

Any 'universal' cable will do & there's lots of solenoids around. Just get a couple is all. I think there's a wire loom available too.

Good luck.